Greetings!
On behalf of the entire state of South Carolina, please accept my congratulations on the completion of the Advisory Victim Services Coordinating Committee Guide.
Due to the tremendous vision and perseverance of countless victims and victim advocates, we now have the legislation to ensure that victims of crime will be informed of their constitutional rights and treated with greater dignity throughout our criminal justice system. As a critical step in the implementation of the crime victims' legislation, Act 141 of 1997, the Coordinating Committee has given us an important tool for complying with the legislative intent of the law and implementing legislation in the best interest of the victims we serve. We thank the members of the Coordinating Committee for their tireless efforts and cooperation. It is my hope that both service providers and crime victims will find this guide to be a valuable resource for providing victim services in the most effective and comprehensive manner possible.
I applaud the spirit of partnership that made this joint venture a reality, proving that the ultimate goal of providing crime victims with timely notification, long-overdue services, and greatest respect can be fully accomplished.
Please accept my warmest wishes for continued success, and I hope you will always feel free to call on me if ever the need arises.
Sincerely,
David M. Beasley
State of South Carolina
Executive Department
Office of the Governor
WHEREAS, the coordination of victims' services is critical to ensuring the effective delivery of services to victims; and
WHEREAS, all victims, pursuant to the laws of the United States of America and the State of South Carolina, shall be treated with fairness, respect, and dignity; and
WHEREAS, all victims, pursuant to the laws of the United States of America and the State of South Carolina, shall be free from intimidation, harassment, or abuse, throughout the criminal and juvenile justice process, and shall be informed of their constitutional rights; and
WHEREAS, South Carolina voters overwhelmingly approved the Victims' Bill of Rights Constitutional Amendment in the November, 1996, election; and
WHEREAS, enabling legislation for the Victims' Bill of Rights Constitutional Amendment was signed into law by the undersigned on June 13, 1997; and
WHEREAS, the Division of Victim Assistance, Office of the Governor, is charged with administering the South Carolina Victim's Compensation Fund and providing services to victims.
NOW, THEREFORE, pursuant to the powers conferred upon me by the Constitution and Statutes of the State of South Carolina, the Advisory Victim Services Coordinating Committee is hereby established. The Advisory Victim Services Coordinating Committee shall work in conjunction with and under the auspices of the Division of Victim Assistance, Office of the Governor, to develop standards for the coordination and implementation of victim services delivery on a state and local level. The Committee shall be comprised of the following individuals or their designees:
Chief of the State Law Enforcement Division
Director of the Division of Victim Assistance, Office of the Governor
Crime Victims' Ombudsman
Executive Director of the South Carolina Victims Assistance Network
Director of Victims Services, Office of Attorney General
President of the Law Enforcement Victim Advocates
Director of the Department of Corrections
Director of the Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services
Director of the Department of Juvenile Justice
Director of the Department of Public Safety
Director of Court Administration
President of the South Carolina Summary Court Association
Executive Director of the Prosecution Coordination Commission
President of the Public Defenders' Association
Executive Director of the South Carolina Sheriffs' Association
Executive Director of the Police Chiefs' Association
President of the SC Jailers' Association
Executive Director of the South Carolina Association of Counties
Executive Director of the Municipal Association of South Carolina
The Chief of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is hereby designated as Chairman of this Committee.
GIVEN UNDER MY HAND AND THE GREAT SEAL OF THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, THIS 14TH DAY OF AUGUST, 1997
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DAVID M. BEASLEY
GOVERNOR
ATTEST:
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JAMES M. MILES
Secretary of State